(Dobson Images)

The Stars and Stripes are flying proudly as the US has taken the first step towards clinching the vital Americas 1 seed for RWC 2011 with a gritty 12-6 win against Canada on Independence Day in Charleston, SC.

The American win also snapped a four-game losing streak to Canada dating back to 2006.

There were no tries in the match, all the points came from the boots of Eagle MVP Mike Hercus and Canada’s James Pritchard.

Hercus slotted a drop goal in the 29th minute to get the Eagles on the board first and then followed up with a successful penalty shot in the 35th minute. Pritchard kicked two penalties, one in the 32nd minute, the other in the 38th.

The scores were locked up at 6-6 at the half.

The Canadians were shut out in the second half, while Hercus potted two more penalty goals in the 45th and 78th minutes to seal the American victory.

In front of a somewhat disappointing crowd, the US forwards dominated for most of the 80 minutes.

Time of possession was evenly split, as were both teams’ opportunities in the red zone although the Eagles had a slightly better ratio at 14 to Canada’s 10.

The game was played in searing 95 degree heat with 70% humidity, forcing the heat index into triple digits, but the sweltering conditions did little to wilt the home team’s enthusiasm.

Indeed, the scoreline could have been much bigger in the USA’s favor had there not been as many missed opportunities as there were throughout the match.

Many times the ball popped loose just as an Eagle was making a final pass to a teammate that would have sprung him free for a score. The flipside was that the American defense was rock solid all afternoon long.

Mike Hercus (JD Black photo)

Canada had a golden opportunity late when they were down by three and pressing the US goal line, but were driven back with typical USA tenacity and eventually coughed up possession.

Kevin Swiryn, back in the lineup after suffering a concussion in the Churchill Cup, was outstanding, particularly on offense. The former St Mary’s All-American was always dangerous with the ball and constantly looked for work off his wing.

Center Paul Emerick ran hard and straight in his customary trademark fashion, while prop Mate Moeakiola was a force to be reckoned with up front.

John van der Giessen, Nic Johnson and Todd Clever were all over their Canadian counterparts in the loose and Louis Stanfill turned in his usual aggressive performance.

All in all the Eagle coaching staff should be pleased with the start to this important RWC qualifying series, but it will mean little if the US doesn’t go on with the job next week in Edmonton.

In this home and away series, the overall points differential is the determining factor, meaning that while the USA is in the driver’s seat, it can’t afford to take its foot off the gas.

USA scoring:
Pen: Hercus (3)
Drop goal: Hercus

Canada scoring:
Pen: Pritchard (2)

Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)

USA: 15. Chris Wyles (Saracens FC) 14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic) 13. Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma) 12. Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC) 11. Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach) 10. Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays) 9. Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC) 1. Mate Moeakiola (Park City Haggis) 2. Chris Biller (California) 3. Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC) 4. John van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians) 5. Hayden Smith (Saracens FC) 6. Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club) 7. Todd Clever (Xerox Lions) Captain 8. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)

Replacements: 16. Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club) 17. Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie RFC) 18. Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen) 19. JJ Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town) 20. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club) 21. Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC) 22. Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)

Canada: 1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK) 2. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria/Burnaby Lake, BC) 3. Dan Pletch (Niagara Thunder/London, ON) 4. Mike Burak (Unattached/Vancouver, BC) 5. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens/Vancouver, BC) 6. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers/Frederiction, NB) 7. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria/White Rock, BC) 8. Aaron Carpenter (Coventry RFC/Brantford, ON) 9. Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates/Victoria, BC) 10. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy) 11. Justin Mensah-Coker (Moseley/Vancouver, BC) 12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON) 13. DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK) 14. Matt Evans (Hartpury College/Duncan, BC) 15. James Pritchard (Bedford RFC)

Replacements: 16. Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians/London, ON) 17. Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria/St. Albert, AB) 18. Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC/St. John's, NFLD) 19. Stu Ault (Mosely RFC/Perth, ON) 20. Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon, SK) 21. Phil Mack (James Bay AA/Victoria, BC) 22. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers/Conception Bay, Nfld)